Romantic comedies are all about true love and living happily ever after. They have fun and quirky moments, but if you really pay attention there’s usually a sense of underlying darkness and depression that impacts the characters. This is because many of the rom-coms have much more in common with the drama genre than you would’ve initially thought. Let’s take a look at some of rom-coms which are actually way darker than you think.
What Makes Rom-Coms Dark
Romantic comedies don’t just include happy moments, and often there’s a message of despair in the story. This often arises when the main character(s) is presented with a difficult life challenge. The message is that true love and lasting relationships often come with real-world compromises and don’t always win in the end. As such, rom-coms may often contain dark themes, difficult decisions, and even unresolved endings.
10 Rom-Coms That Are Actually Way Darker Than You Think
If you take a closer look at some of the most popular romantic comedies, you’ll soon notice that these movies can sometimes be surprisingly dark. Here’s a list of 10 such rom-coms that are actually way darker than you think:
- 500 Days of Summer (2009)
Despite its lighthearted soundtrack, this movie is all about heartbreak and unrequited love. 500 Days of Summer is a story about shattered dreams and false hopes, and it’s clear that love isn’t always enough.
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a story of two people who had a complicated relationship. As they grapple with the idea of living without each other, they come to the realization that love is more than just an emotion; it’s a force that can’t always be erased.
- Saved! (2004)
Saved! is a movie about teenage pregnancy, religious hypocrisy, and having to deal with the fact that your life may not turn out the way you expected it to. The movie deals with its dark themes in a light-hearted way, but ultimately it’s about the consequences of making a bad decision.
- Love, Rosie (2014)
Love, Rosie follows two friends who decide to take a chance on love, only to realize that they don’t have the courage to stay together. As they navigate around their fears, they come to understand the true meaning of love and loyalty.
- 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
10 Things I Hate About You is a modern-day retelling of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. It follows two teens who must deal with the tough realities of growing up and finding true love. Through their struggles, they have to decide whether love is worth all the pain and turmoil of growing up.
- (500) Days of Summer (2009)
Despite its lighthearted soundtrack, this movie is all about heartbreak and unrequited love. (500) Days of Summer follows a couple who are always searching for a spark between them, only to realize that true love does not always win in the end.
- Dirty Dancing (1987)
Dirty Dancing is a classic coming-of-age story about a young woman who must decide between following her true passions or adhering to the expectations of her family. Through her journey, she must arrive at terms with the consequences of growing up and leaving behind childhood innocence.
- The Proposal (2009)
The Proposal is a movie about love and relationships, but at its core it’s a story of an immigrant who must learn how to accept the rules and regulations of a new country. As she struggles to make a better life for herself, she must deal with the struggles of finding acceptance in her adopted home.
- As Good As It Gets (1997)
This movie follows an extremely selfish and cynical man who is struggling with the harsh realities of his life. As he slowly begins to open his heart to his family and friends, the movie forces him to confront the difficult truth that love is not always enough to make life perfect.
- Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
Bridget Jones’s Diary is a hilarious, light-hearted comedy about a single woman trying to find love. However, underneath all the laughs is a story about self-discovery and learning to accept yourself, despite your flaws and mistakes.
Romantic comedies are often advertised as a type of light-hearted entertainment, but in reality they can sometimes be surprisingly dark. Whether they’re tackling the unrequited love, the consequences of growing up, or the struggles of immigration, these ten rom-coms show us that love is never easy and it’s certainly never perfect. So the next time you’re watching one of these rom-coms, be sure to pay attention to the underlying themes, as you never know how dark the movie might turn out to be.
